Renaissance Festivals and Medieval Historical Era

Renaissance festival is the most popular occasion of USA celebrated on weekends. This festival is quite commercial in nature and opened for common people’s historical reenactment and amusement. Such fests are held on some permanent themed parks and in fairgrounds where these fairs celebrated for short period. Some public and private spaces are also made accessible for the commencement of themed festivals.

Started on the backyard of school teacher in the mid of twentieth century to make student aware of medieval past, has now grown up into a popular phenomena. Although the mainland where this fest celebrated is till now USA but its effect can also be seen in other countries as well. Ren-fairs are the hub of costumed entertainers in renaissance dresses, medieval handicrafts and foods, theatrical shows including period dramas and acrobatics. Some theme parks even offer camping program if a person want to stay for more than a day.

Many medieval themed events are set on specific period of history because each era has something new to offer. Below mentioned are the different periods that inspired the major section of historical reenactment theme. Let us cast some light on these periods.

King Henry VIII – King Henry imposed the Sumptuary Laws to restrict the commoners’ expenditures on luxury. During his reign new merchant class arose and their population was expanding too. These new wealthy class was looking above their status and trying to get the luxury on par of nobilities. So in order to keep wealthier noble class people untouched from these new emerging classes, strict laws sumptuary were implemented. His daughters Queen Marry I and Queen Elizabeth I followed him. Tudor clothing system was easy and immediate way of knowing one’s rank and privileges.

Elizabeth I of England – This was the golden age for England when exploration and expansion were at its best. Famously called as Elizabethan era this period had gems like Sir Francis Drake, William Shakespeare, Walter Raleigh and many more. But the major drawback of this period was imposed Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws which was implemented to curb the habit of consumption. This was the attempt to regulate the intake of luxuries like renaissance costumes, food, furniture and other inordinate expenditure. This reinforced law caused great degree of variation and gap in the living standard of commoners and wealthier people. Color and material of fabric became the way of separating upper strata people from lower class.

The much earlier periods of Vikings and later period of pirates are also included in these themed fairs. Now-a-days people show more fascination for pirate clothing such as pirate shirts, pants and boots. Sudden inclination towards sea robbers costumes is the result of latest Hollywood flicks based pirate’s life. Eleventh century Viking’s costumes are also the rage among visitors. Especially the accessories of Vikings are cherished by people.

Renaissance themed events are just like time travelling into past, an opportunity to know what we have gained from it. These fairs encourage the people to know about their medieval history, provide lifetime opportunity to sleep into medieval renaissance costumes and pirate shirts to feel the presence of charismatic era.

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